Daily encouragement in your Christian walk until, as the Apostle Paul writes,"Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19, NIV).

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Secret from 20 Years of Ministry

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5

I am always surprised at how much people shy away from the title “mentor.” When I talk to people with a lifetime of experience in marriage, parenting, working, following God, and just living, they often don’t feel that they have much to offer. They think, “Who would want to listen to me?” Well, you’d be surprised.

Almost 20 years ago I started teaching at a Bible Institute in Modesto, California. My first class was on the Major Prophets. My joke was that I was going to have to read them first. The truth was it wasn’t a joke. I was a little intimidated to say the least. I asked another instructor who attended our church how he had become so well versed in the courses he taught. He offered some wise advice, “All you need to do is stay one lesson ahead of the class.” That was it. That was the secret. I’ve been staying one lesson ahead for 20 years now.

How about you? What do you have to offer? Maybe you don’t tweet or have a thousand friends on Facebook. But, if you’ve built a company that you or someone else owned, raised a family, celebrated a silver anniversary, or have faithfully walked with God, you have something to offer someone younger than you.

How do you get started? The BWomen Ministry at Brookwood Church has a mentoring program where they match younger women and mature women together for a period of time. But, all mentoring doesn’t need to be formal. Leading a Small Group gives an opportunity to mentor and help others. In fact, you might even end up mentoring each other. If you have knowledge from your education, employment or even a hobby, BrookwoodU is a great place to share yourself with others.

Why not pray and ask God who you can help? Then, pay attention to who God brings across your path. It’s not a coincidence. Invite them for a cup of coffee, and then go on from there. It’s better than men would mentor men and women mentor women.